Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Sep 16: The state government told the state High Court (HC) on Wednesday September 15 that it is not feasible to appoint the dismissed employees of Mysore and Hassan medical colleges on contract basis, as suggested by the HC on Tuesday. Additional advocate general (AAG) of the state, K M Nataraj, explained about practical difficulties being faced by the government on this issue, to the HC bench headed by Justice Ram Mohan Reddy, which is hearing a batch of writ petitions filed by those who lost their jobs, on Wednesday.

In support of the government’s stand, its counsel pointed out that rules had not been followed in conducting interviews of the candidates, records thereon had been destroyed, rural candidates had not participated in the process of appointment as they were unaware of the opportunities available, reservation to scheduled castes and tribes were not provided for, rules regarding age limit, reservations and pay scales had not been adhered to.

The other points raised by him were that against rules, two separate committees had been formed for the recruitments and that out of 302, 150 candidates were selected from Hassan. The marks allotted to candidates in the viva-voce were published in the college notice board after two months, in which marks were found to have been allotted to even those who did not attend the interview, he contended. Nataraj also revealed that the selected candidates reported for duties within two days, without even waiting for the publication of the selection list.

The preliminary investigation by the police department, birth certificates and such other verifications were not conducted. It would be impossible to sort out the appointment of the selected candidates into ‘good’ and ‘undesirable’ categories, he said, asserting that there is no need to review the earlier order of the government, cancelling the entire recruitment process.

The AAG said that those who have been dismissed now, will be extended travel allowance and concession in application fee, if they participate in the fresh selection process. If they get selected, they will be paid two months salary on compassionate grounds, he added.

During the questioning, Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences director, Dr Gangadhar, fumbled in answering pointed queries raised by the bench. The bench admonished him for claiming that everything has been computerized, and then giving different answers to questions on the marks allotted by the selection committee to the candidates. It pointed out to him that in his affidavit, he had said that the selection committee had two members, but during questioning, he said it had four members. “Stop feigning forgetfulness. What kind of director you are?” it questioned Gangadhar.

After seeking replies to various questions on the one-sided order of the government on the appointments, investigation of the computer hard disk in which tabulated marks are stored, marks allotted during interviews etc, the bench adjourned hearing to Thursday, without passing an interim order as indicated by it earlier.